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SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY. 



FROM 



Manassas to Appomattox. 



MEMOIRS OF THE CIVIL WAR m 
AMERICA. 



BY 
1 

JAMES LONG-STREET, 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL CONFEDERATE ARMY. 



With Fifteen Maps, in Colors, and Twenty-Eight Portraits and 
other Illustrations. 



About 650 octavo pages. Cloth, plain edges, $4.00 ; Sheep, sprinkled 
edges, $5.00 ; Fiill Morocco, gilt edges, $7.00. 






DALLAS: 

THE DALLAS PHBLLSHING COMPANY. 
1896. 



E^7^ 



,U^ 



Copyright, 1895, 

BY 

J. B. LiPPiNCOTT Company. 



All Rights reserved. 



Electrotyped and Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, U.S.A. 




GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE. 



ANNOUNCBMHNT. 



A Great Contribution to the History of the Civil War of 
1861-65. By Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, 
Senior Living Commander of the Confederate Armies. 



TATEST, and perhaps last, of the important contributions to 
1. the History of the Civil War comes the Memoirs of Gen- 
eral Longstreet, only survivor of that great triumvirate of 
captains of the Confederacy, of whom Robert E. Lee was the 
chief and " Stonewall" Jackson the martyr on the field. 

Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, and 
though General Lee survived for some years the great conflict 
in which he was one of the leaders, he maintained silence as to 
its conduct and course. 

Now, after the lapse of thirty years, his lieutenant, the old 
commander of the First Corps in the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia, — he whom the chieftain affectionately and familiarly called 
on the evening after the bloody Antietam (or Sharpsburg) " my 
old war-horse," and whom Pollard, the Confederate historian, 
has christened " Lee's right hand," — brings forward what must 
inevitably come to be regarded as the authoritative Confederate 
presentation of the events of the Civil War in the most impor- 
tant theatre of its action. 

The memoirs of General Longstreet have indeed far greater 
value than that which lies in a partisan statement of the struggle 
between North and South. His work rises to the impartial and 
judicial height. It attains the dignity and conscientious careful- 
ness of history, without losing jot or tittle of that vividness and 
vraiseniblancc which testify that the narrator was eye-witness of 
what he relates, and without sacrificing anything of that fine 
effect of speaking as one who has authority, — in fact, as one who 
in a measure commanded and controlled the very events he de- 
scribes. The distinguished author writes in such calm and 
equipoise of spirit as to speedily convince the reader of his 
absolute reverence for truth and his sense of a most sterling 
stewardship in him who plies the chronicler's pen. 



Such is the essential and striking first effect of General 
Longstreet's book upon the reader. To characterize it further, 
one may say that it combines the excellencies of a critical and a 
popular work. While frequently discussing questions of mili- 
tary science arising from the series of actions and events in 
which he was a prominent participant, he rarely employs tech- 
nicalities, and never allows his narrative to become obscured by 
them, as have many of the soldier-writers upon the war. Who- 
ever reads his memoirs may thoroughly understand their every 
page, and many will obtain from him, for the first time, in his 
accounts of battles, a clear comprehension of what has before 
been to their minds merely a chaos of conflict. Indeed, it is 
questionable if the general reader, whether soldier or civilian, 
will not find in these plain and unpretending memoirs of a great 
general of the Confederacy the best series of concise battle 
descriptions which the literature of the war affords. 

General Longstreet's style is as free from rhetorical flourish 
or the felsity of " fine writing" as his character and career are 
from everything savoring of the theatric or insincere. He is 
constantly practical, to the point, clear, easily elucidating all that 
he undertakes, and, above all, effortlessly and unconsciously, 
convincing of his conscientiousness. In his critical conmient he 
is brief and modest ; in his treatment of moot questions firm, 
authoritative, yet forbearing, without rancor. 

The author of these memoirs — of a family that settled in 
this country, in Monmouth County, N. J., more than two hun- 
dred years before the outbreak of the Civil War — was born in 
South Carolina, in 1821, and appointed to West Point, from 
Alabama, in 1838. He graduated in 1842, and was thus at the 
full meridian of his maturity when the war opened. He had 
gained experience in the Mexican War, and its fruits, together 
with the whole strength of his manhood, he gave promptly to 
the Confederacy, when called upon in 1861. From first to last 
— From Manassas to Appomattox — he was Lee's lieutenant, 
serving with singleness of purpose, with unconquerable energy, 
with zeal and wisdom, the cause of his people. 

When at Appomattox was finally reversed the inspiring 
promise of Manassas, he manfully accepted the result, showing 
fine moral fibre even in his submission to the arbitrament of the 
sword, as he had superb strength in wielding it through all the 
long struggle for the " Lost Cause." 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE ANTE-BELLUM LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 

PAGE 

Birth — Ancestry — Sehool-Boy Days— Appointment as Cadet at the 
United States Military Academy — Graduates of Historic Classes 
— Assignment as Brevet Lieutenant — Gay Life of Garrison at 
Jefferson Barracks — Lieutenant Grant's Courtship — Annexation 
of Texas — Army of Observation — Army of Occupation — Camp 
Life in Texas— March to the Rio Grande— Mexican War .... 13 

CHAPTER IL 

FROM NEW MEXICO TO MANASSAS. 

The War-Cloud — Tlie Journey Northward— Appointed Brigadier- 
General — Report to General Beauregard— Assigned to Command 
at the Scene of the First Conflict — Personnel of the Confronting 
Forces — Description of the Field of Manassas, or Bull Run — 
Beauregard and McDowell of the same West Point Class — Battle 
of Blackburn's Ford— Early's Mistake— Under Fire of Friend 
and Foe 29 

CHAPTER IIL 

BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. 

Commanders on both Sides generally Veterans of the Mexican 
War— General Irvin McDowell's Preconceived Plan — Johnston 
reinforces Beauregard and approves his Plans— General Barnard 
E. Bee — Analysis of the Fight— Superb Work of the Federal 
Artillery — Christening of "Stonewall Jackson" — McDowell's 
Gallant Effort to recover Lost Power — Before he was shorn 
of his Artillery he was the Samson of the Field — The Rout — 
Criticism of McDowell — Tyler's Reconnoissance — Ability of the 
Commanding Generals tested 42 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE CONFEDERATES HOVERING AROUND WASHINGTON. 

An Early War-Time Amenity— The Author invited to dine with 
the Enemy — "Stove-pipe Batteries" — J. E. B. Stuart, the Fa- 
mous Cavalryman — His Bold Dash on the Federals at Lewens- 
ville — Major-General G. W. Smith associated with Jolmston 

V 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

and Beauregard in a Council — Longstreet px-omoted Major- 
Geuoral— Fierce Struggle at Ball's Bluff— Dranesville a Success 
for the Union Arms — McClellau given the Sobriquet of "The 
Young Napoleon" 59 

CHAPTER V. 

ROUND ABOUT RICHMOND. 

The Defences of the Confederate Capital — Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia at Centreville — Aggressive Action — Council with the 
President and Secretary of War— Mr. Davis's High Opinion of 
McClellan — Operations on the Peninsula — Engagements about 
Yorktown and Williamsburg — Severe Toil added to the Soldiers' 
Usual Labors by a Saturated Soil 64 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 

The Attack on Fort Magruder — Hancock occupies Two Redoubts — 
The Slaughter in Early's Brigade — The Fifth North Carolina 
Regiment and Twenty-Fourth Virginia mercilessly exposed — 
A Hard-Fought Engagement — A Confederate Victory — McClel- 
lan not on the Field the Greater Part of the Day — Hancock 
called "The Superb" by McClellan — Johnston pays High 
Tribute to Longstreet 72 

CHAPTER VIL 

SEVEN PINES, OR FAIR OAKS. 

A New Line of Defence — Positions of the Confronting Armies — 
FitzJohn Porter— Terrific Storm on the Eve of Battle— Gen- 
eral Johnston's Orders to Longstreet, Smith, and Huger— Lack 
of Co-operation on the Confederate Side, and Ensuing Confu- 
sion — Fatalities among Confederate Officers — Kearney's Action 
— Serious Wounding of General Johnston at the Close of the 
Battle — Summary and Analysis of Losses 81 

CHAPTER VI I L 

SEQUELS OF SEVEN PINES. 

The Forces under Command of G. W. Smith after Johnston was 
wounded- The Battle of the 1st— Longstreet requests Reinforce- 
ments and a Diversion — Council held — McLaws alone sustains 
Longstreet's Opposition to I'etiring — Severe Fighting— Pickett's 
Brave Stand— General Lee assigned to Command— He orders 
the withdrawal of the Army — Criticism of General Smith — Con- 
federates should not have lost the Battle — Keyes's Corroboration 103 



CONTENTS. Vll 

CHAPTER IX. 

ROBERT E. LEE IN COMMAND. 

PAGE 

The Great General's Assigiiuieut not at first assuring to the Army — 
Able as an Engineer but limited as to Field Service — He makes 
the Acquaintance of his Lieutenants — Calls a Council— Gains 
Confidence by saying Nothing— "A Little Humor now and 
then" — Lee Plans a Simultaneous Attack on McClellan's Front 
and Rear — J. E. B. Stuart's Daring Reconnoissance around the 
Union Army 112 

CHAPTER X. 

FIGHTING ALONG THE CHICKAHOMINY. 

Retreat — Lee's Bold Initiative — Lee and his Lieutenants planning 
Battle — The Confederates' Loss at Mechanicsville — Gaines's 
Mill— A. P. Hill's Fight— Longstreet's Reserve Division put 
in — McClellan's Change of Base — Savage Station — Longstreet 
engages McClellan's Main Force at Frayser's Farm (or Glen- 
dale)— President Davis on the Field — Testimony of Federal 
Generals — Fierce Bayonet Charges — "Greek meets Greek" — 
Capture of General McCall— McClellan's Masterly Retreat . . 120 

CHAPTER XL 

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. 

Last Stand in the Great Retreat — Strength of McClellan's Position 
— The Confederates make Poor Use of their Artillery — A Mis- 
take and Defeat for Lee's Army — The Campaign as a Whole a 
Great Success, but it should have been far greater — McClellan's 
Retreat showed him well equipped in the Science of War — Re- 
view" of the Campaign— Jackson's and Magruder's Misunder- 
standing — Moral Effect of the Gunboats on the James River— 
"There should be a Gunboat in Every Family" 141 

CHAPTER XIL 

HALLECK AND POPE IN FEDERAL COMMAND. 

Centres of Activity gravitate towards Orange and Culpeper Coun- 
ties—Pope's Unsoldierly Preliminary Orders— Jackson's and 
Pope's Encounter at Cedar Mountain— Confidence in and Es- 
teem for General Lee — The Confederate Commander's Plans 
for cutting off Pope miscarry — Capture of Captain Fitzhugh 
with Important Orders— Longstreet puts General Toombs 
under Arrest— General Pope withdraws 153 

CHAPTER XII L 

MAKING READY FOR MANASSAS AGAIN. 

General Lee modifies his Order of March— Continuous Skirmish- 
ing—Cavalry Commander Stuart gets into General Pope's 
Head-quarters and captures his Personal Equipment — His 



Vlii CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Uniform Coat and Hat sliown along the Confederate Lines- 
Jackson's Superb Flank Movement — Confederates capture 
Trains, Supplies, Munitions, and Prisoners— Hooker and 
Ewell at Bristoe Station — Jackson first on the Old Field of 
Bull Run— Longstreet's Command joins passing Thorough- 
fare Gap— Pope practically throws Responsibility for Aggres- 
sive Action on McDowell— Preliminary Fighting— General 
Pope surprised by Jackson— Pope's Orders to Fitz-John Porter 163 

CHAPTER XIV. 

SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS (BULL RUN). 

Battle opened by the Federals on Jackson's Right, followed by 
Kearney — Longstreet's Reconnoissance — Stuart, the Cavalry 
Leader, sleeps on the Field of Battle— Pope thought at the 
close of tlie 29th that the Confederates were retreating— Second 
Day— Fitz-John Porter struck in Flank — Longstreet takes a 
Hand in the Fight late in the Day— Lee under Fire — The 
Federal Retreat to Centreville— That Point turned— Pope again 
dislodged—" Stonewall" Jackson's Appearance and Peculiari- 
ties—Killing of " Fighting Phil" Kearney — Losses— Review of 
the Campaign 180 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 

General Lee continues Aggressive Work— From Foraged Fields of 
Virginia into a Bounteous Land— Longstreet objected to the 
Movement on Harper's Ferry— Lee thinks the Occasion Timely 
for Proposal of Peace and Independence— Confederates smg- 
ing through the Streets of Fredericktown— McClellan's Move- 
ments—Cautious Marches— Lee's Lost Order handed to the 
Federal Chief at Frederick 199 

CHAPTER XVI. 

"the lost order" — SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

How the Federals found the Despatch— With every Advantage 
McClellau "made haste slowly"— Lee turns back to meet 
him at South Mountain— Longstreet preferred that the Stand 
should be made at Sharpsburg— The Battle at the Pass— Many 
killed— General Garland of the Confederate and General Reno 
of the Union Side— A Future President among the Wounded— 
Estimate of Forces engaged 212 

CHAPTER XVIL 

PRELIMINARIES OF THE GREAT BATTLE. 

Confederates retreat from South Mountain— Federals follow and 
harass them— Franklin and Cobb at Crampton's Pass— A Spir- 



CONTENTS. IX 

PAGE 

ited Action— Fighting around Harper's Ferry — Its Capitula- 
tion— Tlie Confederates take Eleven Tliousand Prisoners — 
Jackson rejoins Lee— Description of the Field of Antietam — 
McClellan i^osts his Corps— Lee's Lines advantageously placed 
— Hooker's Advance on the Eve of Battle should have been 
resisted 227 



CHAPTER XVI I L 

BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM. 

Bloodiest Single Day of the War — Comparison of Casualties — 
Hooker opens the Fight against Jackson's Centre — Many Offi- 
cers among the Fallen early in the Day — McLaws and Walker 
in time to meet Sumner's Advance under Sedgwick — Around 
Dunker Chapel— Richardson's Splendid Advance against the 
Confederate Centre the Signal of the Bursting of another Storm 
— Long-street's and D. H. Hill's Troops stood before it — Fall 
of General Gr. B. Anderson— General Richardson mortally 
wounded — Aggressive Spirit of bis Command broken — Won- 
derful Cannon-shot— General D.H.Hill's Third Horse killed 
under him 239 



CHAPTER XIX. 

BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM (CONTINUED). 

Closing Events of the Great Struggle — Burnside crosses the Bridge 
he made famous — Toombs made Gallant Defence, but was out- 
numbered and dislodged— The Confederate Brigades from Har- 
per's Ferry under A. P. Hill in Time for the Final Crisis — 
Burnside's Advance arrested by them — The Battle against 
Burnside "appeared to spring from the Earth" — "Lee's old 
War Horse" — The Killing of a Kinsman at the Bridge seriously 
aflfects General D. R. Jones — Tlie Sharp Fight at Shepherds- 
town — Confederates retreat — Casualties of the Battle — Confed- 
erate Losses in the Campaign — Neither McClellan's Plan nor 
Execution was strong 256 



CHAPTER XX. 

REVIEW OF THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 

Confederate Expectations — General Lee's Salutatory to the People 
of Maryland— Tlie "Lost Despatch"— McClellan's Movements 
^Turn in the Tide of War — A Miracle great as the throwing 
down of the Walls of Jericho— In Contempt of the Enemy the 
Confederate Army was dispersed — Harper's Ferry a "Man- 
Trap" — It diverted the Army from the Main Issue— Lee and 
McClellan compared and contrasted— Tribute to the Confed- 
erate Private Soldier 279 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

KEORGANIZATION AND REST FOR BOTH ARMIES. 

PAGE 

The Confederates appoint Seven Lieutenant-Generals— The Army 
of Northern Virginia organized in Corps— General McClellan 
relieved, and General Burnside appointed Commander of the 
Army of the Potomac— A Lift for the South— McClellan was 
growing— Burnside's "Three Grand Divisions"— The Campaign 
of the Rappahannock— Getting Ready for P^edericksburg — 
Longstreet occupies Fredericksburg — The Town called to sur- 
render by General Sumner — Exodus of tlie Inhabitants under 
a Threat to shell the Town 290 

CHAPTER XXIL 

BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

Description of the Field — Marye's Heights— Position of the Troops 
of Longstreet's Command— General Jackson called down from 
Orange Court-House, and Preparations made for a Determined 
Stand— Signal Guns at Three O'Clock in the Morning announce 
the Long-Expected Battle— Burnside's Bridge-Builders thrice 
driven back from their Work— The Crossing finally made by 
Boats— Federals under Hot Fire enter Fredericksburg — How 
they obtained their Foothold on the West Bank of the Rappa- 
hannock — Gallant Officers and Men — Ninety-seven killed or 
wounded in the Space of Fifty Yards— General Burnside's Plan 
of Battle — Strength of the Contending Forces 297 

CHAPTER XXIIL 

BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG (CONTINUED). 

The Battle-field veiled by a Heavy Fog— Terrific Fighting of the 
13th of December — Forlorn Hope of the Federals — General 
Meade's Division of Franklin's Command makes the First 
Advance — General French leads against the Confederate Left — 
Hancock follows— General Cobb killed— The Sunken Road and 
Stone Wall below Marye's Hill— Desperate Advances and De- 
termined Repulses — Humphreys's Heroic Assault— The Stoue 
Wall "a Sheet of Flame"— General Jackson loses his Oppor- 
tunity to advance — The Charge of Meade's Divisions com- 
pared with that of Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble's Columns 
at Gettysburg — Forty Per Cent, killed in charging Lines here, 
and Sixty Per Cent, at Gettysburg— Total Losses — Peace to be 
declared because Gold had gone to 200— Organization of the 
Army of Northern Virginia 306 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

PREPARING FOR THE SPRINC^^ OF '63. 

Burnside's Abortive Moves— The " Mud March"— General Hooker 
supersedes Burnside — The Confederates strengthen their Posi- 



CONTENTS. XI 

PAGE 

tion for the Winter— Lnngstreet ordered to Petersburg — Secre- 
tary of War Seddon and the Author talk of General Grant and 
the Confederate Situation on the Mississippi and in the West — 
Longstreet makes a Radical Proposition for Confederate Con- 
centration in Tennessee, and thus compel Grant to abandon 
Vicksburg — The Skilful Use of Interior Lines the Only Way of 
equalizing the Contest — Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee's Bril- 
liant Achievement — Criticism — Death of "Stonewall" Jackson 
— The Resolve to march Northward — The Army reorganized 
in Three Corps — Ewell and A. P. Hill appointed Lieutenant- 
Generals 322 

CHAPTER XXV. 

INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

Plan of the Confederate March North — General Lee hoped to draw 
Troops from the South and develop Important Results North 
of the Potomac — He wanted Beauregard sent to support the 
Movement — The Authorities in Richmond failed to compre- 
hend — The Value of the "Interior Lines" not appreciated — 
Spirited Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station between Stuart's and 
Pleasonton's Commands — Engagement of Ewell and Milroy at 
Winchester — The Question of Authority for the Cavalry Move- 
ments — Lieutenant-Colonel Freemantle of the Cold Stream. 
Guards, British Army, as a Guest and Observer — The Confed- 
erate Advance reaches Pennsylvania Soil — General Lee issues 
Orders for a March on Harrisburg— Municipal Authorities of 
York and Gettysburg surrender to General John B. Gordon . . 334 

CHAPTER XXVL 

GETTYSBURG— FIRST DAY. 

Information of Federal Force and Positions brought by the Scout 
Harrison— General Lee declines to credit it — General Long- 
street suggests a Change of Direction in Conformance with 
the Revelation — General Meade had succeeded Hooker in Com- 
mand Five Days before Battle — Positions on the Eve of the First 
Day — Confederate Cavalry "not in sight" — "The Eyes of the 
Army" sadly needed — A Description of the Famous Battle- 
field — Generals Ewell and A. P. Hill engage the Federals — 
Death of General John F. Reynolds — The Fight on Seminary 
Ridge — General Hancock in Federal Command on the Field — 
Concerning the Absent Cavalry and Information given by the 
Scout — Conditions at the Close of the First Day's Fight .... 346 

CHAPTER XXVIL 

GETTYSBURG— SECOND DAY. 

The Confederate Commander reviews the Field and decides on 
Plan of Battle — Positions on the Morning of July 2 — Night 
March of the Federal Sixth Corps — It was excelled by Law's 



^. 



Xll CONTEN 

PAGE 

Brigade of Confederates — The Battle \va^ opened after Mid- 
day — General Hood appeals for Permission to turn tlie Federal 
Left — Failure to make the Flanking Movement by the Confed- 
erate Right was a Serious Mistake— Hood, in his usual Gallant 
Style, led bis Troops forward among the Rocks — Desperate 
Charges against an Earnest Adversary — Hood wounded — Gen- 
eral Law succeeds him in command of the Division—" Little 
Round Top" an Important Point— "The Citadel of the Field" 
— It was a Fight of Seventeen Thousand Confederates against 
twice their Number — Quiet along the Lines of other Confeder- 
ate Commands — "A Man on the Left who didn't care to make 
the Battle win" — Evidence against the Alleged Order for 
" Battle at Sunrise"— The " Order" to Ewell was Discretionary 
—Lee had lost his Balance 362 

CHAPTER XXVIIL 

GETTYSBURG— THIRD DAY. 

The Stroke of Arms that shook the Continent — Longstreet opposed 
the Attack as planned and made— The Confederate Column of 
Assault — It was weak in Numbers but strong in Spirit — Tre- 
mendous Artillery Combat bt'gins the Day's Fighting— Charge 
of Generals Pickett, Trimble, and Pettigrew — Armistead falls 
by the Side of the Federal Guns — The Federal Cavalry Charge 
of General Farnsworth — The Commander falls with Five Mor- 
tal Wounds — Could the Assaulting Column have been safely 
augmented from Longstreet's Right? — Testimony as to that 
Point — Where rested the Responsibility for Disaster? — Criti- 
cism of the Battle as a Whole — Cemetery Hill stronger than 
Marye's Hill at Fredericksburg — Controverted Points— Casual- 
ties of the Three Days' Fight — Organization of the Forces 
engaged 385 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE WAVE ROLLS BACK. 

Confederates retreat from Gettysburg — Tiie Federals pursue — Cross- 
ing the Potomac under Difficulties — Kilpatrick's Cavalry Dash 
on Pettigrew's Connnand — General Lee thought to rest his 
Army in the Valley of Virginia, but Meade followed too fast — 
Engagements that harassed the Retreat — General Lee wished 
to be relieved of Command, but President Davis would not 
consent to the Appointment of Joseph E. Johnston or General 
Beauregard 426 

CHAPTER XXX. 

LONGSTREET MOVES TO GEORGIA. 

The Author reverts to the Perils and Opportunities iii the West — 
Proposes to the Secretary of War to reinforce against Rosecrans 



CONTENTS. Xni 

PAGE 

from the Army of Northern Vh'ginia — Makes Plan known to 
General Lee — The Move tinally effected— Difficulties of Trans- 
portation^A Roundabout Route — General Longstreet nar- 
rowly escapes capture when seeking Bragg's Head-quarters — 
General Bragg assigns Longstreet to Command of the Left — 
Instructions for the Battle of Chickamauga — The Armies in 
Position — Federals in Command of Generals Rosecrans, Critten- 
den, McCook, and George H. Thomas , . . . . 433 

CHAPTER XXXL 

BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 

Tactical Features — The Battle opened by Direct Attack on the 
Federals in the Early Morning of September 20 — Repeated 
and Determined Front Assaults— Brigadiers Helm and Adams 
wounded — The Union Commands lay behind Defences — Hood's 
Brigades surged through the Forest against the Covered In- 
fantry and Artillery— Hood wounded — Longstreet suggests a 
Plan for Progressive Action — Halting Tactics at High Tide of 
Success — The Confederate Left fought a Separate Battle — Gen- 
eral Tliomas retreats — First Confederate Victory in tlie West, 
and one of the Bloodiest Battles of the War — Forces engaged — 
Losses 445 

CHAPTER XXXIL 

FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUCCESS. 

Longstreet differs with General Bragg as to Movements of Pur- 
suit — The Confederates on Lookout Mountain — Federals gain 
Comfortable Positions around it — Superior Officers of Bragg's 
Conmiand call for his Removal — Bragg seeks Scapegoats —Pres- 
ident Davis visits the Army — Tests the Temper of the Officers 
towards Bragg — He urges the Command upon Longstreet — He 
declines — His Reasons — General Bragg ignores Signal-Service 
Reports and is surprised — General Joe Hooker's Advance — 
Night Attack on Lookout Mountain— Colonel Bratton's Clever 
Work — Review of the Western Movement and Combination — 
It should have been effected in May instead of September — 
Inference as to Results had the First Proposition been 
Ijromptly acted upon 461 

CHAPTER XXXII L 

THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN. 

General Bragg's Infatuation — General Grant in Command of the 
Federal Forces— Longstreet ordered into East Tennessee— His 
Plans for the Campaign— Poorly supported by his Superior — 
Foraging for Daily Rations— General Burnside's Forces — Ad- 
vance upon Knoxville — Affairs at Lenoir's and Campbell's 
Stations— Engagement near Knoxville an Artillery Combat — 



xiv CONTENT^. 

PAGE 

Reprehensible Conduct of Officers — Allegenient that One was 
actuated by Jealousy — Federals i-etire behind their Works — 
Laying the Confederate Lines about Knoxville 480 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

BESIEGING KNOXVILLE. 

Closing on the Enemy's Lines— A Gallant Dash — Tlie Federal Po- 
sitions — Fort Loudon, later called Fort Banders— Assault of the 
Fort carefully planned— General McLaws advises Delay — The 
Order reiterated and emphasized — Gallant Effort by the Bri- 
gades of Generals Wofford, Humphreys, and Brj^au at the 
Appointed Time — A Recall ordered, because carrying the 
Works was reported impossible — General Longstreet is ordered 
by the President to General Bragg's Relief — Losses during the 
Assault and the Campaign 497 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

CUT OFF FROM EAST AND W'EST. 

Impracticability of joining General Bragg — Wintering in East Ten- 
nessee — General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority over 
the Department by President Davis— Short Rations — Minor 
Movements of Hide-and-Seek in the Mountains — Longstreet's 
Position was of Strategic Importance — Tiiat Fact fully appre- 
ciated by President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and Generals 
Halleck and Grant — " Drive Longstreet out of East Tennessee 
and keep him out" — Generals Robertson and McLaws — The 
Charges against them and Action taken — Honorable Mention 
for Courage and Endurance — The Armj^ finally fares sumptu- 
ouslv on the Fat Lands of the French Broad 509 



CHAPTER XXXVL 

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD. 

Longstreet again considers Relief from Service — General Grant at 
Knoxville — Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on Frozen 
Roads — A Confederate Advance— Aflfair at Daudridge — Fed- 
erals retreat — Succession of Small Engagements— General 
Grant urges General Foster's Army to the Offensive — General 
Foster relieved — General Schofield in Command of Federals — 
General Grant's Orders— General Halleck's Estimate of East 
Tennessee as a Strategic Field — Affair of Cavalry— Advance 
towards Knoxville — Longstreet's Command called back to^e- 
ffensive for want of Cavalrv 523 



CONTENTS. XV 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

LAST DAYS IN TENNESSEE. 

PAGE 

Longstreet's Army at Ball's Gap — U. S. Grant made Lieutenant- 
General — Richmoud Authorities awalte to Gravity of the Situ- 
ation — Longstreet's Proposition for Campaign — Approved by 
General Lee— Richmond Authorities fail to adopt it— General 
Bragg's Plan — A Memorable and Unpleasant Council at the 
Capital— Orders from President Davis — The Case of General 
Law — Longstreet ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia — 
Resolutions of Thanks from Confederate Congress 541 

CHAPTER XXXVI I L 

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 

Campaign of 1864 — General Grant in the Field — Strength of the 
Armies — Their Positions — Description of the Wilderness — The 
Battle opened— A Brisk Day's Fighting — Longstreet's Com- 
mand faces Hancock's on the Morning of the Second Day — 
An Effective Flank Movement — General Wadsworth mortally 
wounded — General Jenkins falls under Fire of Friends, and 
Longstreet is seriously wounded — Carried from the Field on a 
Litter — Tribute to General Jenkins — Criticism and Contro- 
versy 550 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

AGAIN IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. 

Longstreet absent on Leave, nursing liis Wounds — Hears of the 
Death of Cavalry Leader J. E. B. Stuart— Returns to Virginia — 
Assigned to Command on the North Side of James River — Af- 
fair on the Williamsburg Road— Lee's Apprehension of Grant's 
March into Richmond — Closing Scenes of the Campaign of 
1864 about the Confederate Capital — General Benjamin F. But- 
ler's Move against Fort Fisher — Remote Effects on the Situa- 
tion in Virginia 572 



CHAPTER XL. 

TALK OF PEACE. 

Second Federal Move against Fort Fisher and Wilmington Harbor 
— Confederate Disaffection — Act of Congress appointing a Su- 
preme Commander of the Armies— Montgomery Blair's Peace 
Conference— Longstreet has a Meeting witli General Ord, Com- 
mander of the Army of the James — Military Convention pro- 
posed—Correspondence between General Grant and General 
Lee — Longstreet's Suggestions for Measures in the Critical 
Juncture near the Close of the War 582 



xvi CONTEIS^S. 

CHAPTER XL I. 

BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. 

PAGE 

Various Affairs of the Closing Campaign — Tlie Massing of Grant's 
Forces— Sortie against Fort Steadnian — Captured but quiclvly 
retalven — General Grant's Move around tlie Confederate Right 
— General Lee anticipates with Aggressive Worlv — Slieridan 
makes Battle with his Wliole Force at Five Forks— Desperate 
Situation of the Confederates — Disparity of Numbers — Splendid 
Stand and Battle of Generals Pickett and Ransom — Colonel 
Pegram mortally wounded — W. H. F. Lee, the " Noble Son of 
a Noble Sire" — Corse's Division— Pickett's Generalship — Cas- 
ualties 590 

CHAPTER XLIL 

PETERSBURG. 

The Fierce Concerted Assault by the F'ederals — Death of A. P. 
Hill — General Lee announces to Richmond Authorities that he 
must retreat— Reception of the News l)y President Davis at 
Church Service — Federals take Forts Gregg and Whitworth — 
The Retreat harassed by Continuous Fighting — Longstreet 
saves High Bridge, a Vital Point — Ewell and Others compelled 
to surrender — General Mahone's Account of Interesting Scenes 
— Magnitude of the Disaster— " Is the Army dissolving?" — 
General Reed mortally wounded — Panic occurs, but Order is 
restored— General Gregg and Part of his Cavalry Command 
captured by Rosser and Mumford .... 603 

CHAPTER XLIIL 

APPOMATTOX. 

Some of General Lee's Officers say to him that "Further Resist- 
ance is Hopeless" — Longstreet does not coincide — " Not yet" — 
General Grant calls for Surrender — The Confederate Chieftain 
asks for Terms— His Response to his OtRcers as represented 
by General Pendleton — Correspondence of Generals Lee and 
Grant— Morning of April 9— General Lee rides to meet the 
Federal Commander, while Longstreet forms the Last Line of 
Battle — Longstreet endeavors to recall his Chief, hearing of a 
Break where the Confederate Ti'oops could pass— Custer de- 
mands Surrender of Longsti-eet- Reminded of Irregularity, 
and that he was "in the Enemy's Lines"— Meeting with Gen- 
eral Grant— Capitulation— Last Scenes 621 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

POST-BELLTTM PENDANT. 

Old Friends and their Kindness— General Grant — His Character- 
istic Letter of Introduction to President Johnson— In Business 
in New Orleans— Political Unfriendliness— Cause of Criticism 
of Military Career— Appointed Surveyor of Customs — The Old 
Nurse 637 




LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET (1864) 



FROM 

MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE ANTE-BELLUM LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 

Birth — Ancestry— School-Boy Days — Appointment as Cadet at the 
United States Military Academy— Graduates of Historic Classes — 
Assignment as Brevet Lieutenant — Gay Life of Garrison at Jefferson 
Barracks— Lieutenant Grant's Courtship — Annexation of Texas — 
Army of Observation — Army of Occupation — Camp Life in Texas — 
March to the Rio Grande— Mexican War. 

I WAS born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on 
the 8tli of January, 1821. On the paternal side the 
family was from New Jersey ; on my mother's side, from 
Maryland. My earliest recollections were of the Georgia 
side of Savannah River, and my school-days were passed 
there, but the appointment to West Point Academy was 
from North Alabama. My father, James Longstreet, the 
oldest child of William Longstreet and Hannah Fitzran- 
dolj^h, was born in New Jersey. Other children of the 
marriage, Rebecca, Gilbert, Augustus, Baldwin, and 
William, were born in Augusta, Georgia, the ado2)ted 
home. Richard Longstreet, who came to America in 
1657 and settled in Monmouth County, New Jersey, was 
the progenitor of the name on this continent. It is diffi- 
cult to determine whether the name sprang from France, 
Germany, or Holland. On the maternal side, Grandfather 
Marshall Dent was first cousin of John Marshal], of the 
Supreme Court. That branch claimed to trace their line 

13 



BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. 49 

ing to the forward crest. Quick to note a proper ground, 
Jackson deployed on tlie crest at the height, leaving the 
open of the plateau in front. He was in time to secure the 
Imboden battery before it got off the field, and put it into 
action. Stanard's battery, Pendleton's, and Pelham's, 
and part of the Washington Artillery were up in time to 
aid Jackson in his new formation and relieve our dis- 
comfited troops rallying on his flank. As they rose on 
the forward crest. Bee saw, on the farther side, Jackson's 
line, serene as if in repose, affording a haven so promising 
of cover that he gave the christening of " Stonewall" for 
the immortal Jackson. 

" There," said he, " is Jackson, standing like a stone 
wall." 

General Johnston and General Beauregard reached the 
field, and busied themselves in getting the troops together 
and in lines of defence. Other reinforcements were or- 
dered from the right, including the reserve brigades at 
McLean's and Union Mills Fords, and a number of bat- 
teries. Bee and Evans reformed their lines upon Jack- 
son's. After permitting Burnside's brigade to retire for 
rest, McDowell pushed his battle by his strong artillery 
arm, advancing against and turning the Confederate left, 
only giving some little time to select positions for his bat- 
teries to plunge more effective fire into the Confederate 
ranks. This time, so necessary for McDowell's renewal, 
was as important to the Confederates in getting their 
reinforcements of infantry and artillery in position, and 
proved of. even greater value in lengthening out the fight, 
so as to give Kirby Smith and Elzy, just off the train 
from the Shenandoah Valley, time to appear at the last 
moment. 

After arranging the new position of the troops about 
Jackson, General Johnston rode back to the Lewis House, 
where he could better comprehend the entire field, leaving 
Beauregard in charge of the troops engaged on his left. 




CAPTAIN JOHN B. RICHARDSON. 



50 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

McDowell gave esjjecial care in preparing his batteries 
for renewal against the Confederate left. He massed 
E-icketts's and Griffin's batteries, and made their practice 
grand. So well executed was it that the Confederate left 
was again in peril, and, seeing reinforcements approaching 
towards their rear, General Johnston sent orders to the 
brigades at the lower fords revoking authority given them 
to advance against Centreville, and ordering their return 
to the south side, and the brigade at Union Mills was 
ordered to reinforce the Confederate left. The brigade at 
Blackburn's Ford received the recall order in ample time, 
but that at McLean's, — Jones's, — being a little farther 
away, became partially engaged before the recall reached 
him. The brigades resumed their former position, how- 
ever, without serious trouble. 

With this order came a message to me, saying that the 
Federals were pressing severely on our left, and to the 
limit of its tension, that reinforcements were in sight, 
approaching their right, which might prove too heavy for 
our brave men, and force us back, for which emergency 
our brigades should be held ready to cover retreat. These 
anxious moments were soon relieved by the approach of 
General Kirby Smith's command, that had been mistaken 
as reinforcements for the enemy. General Smith was 
wounded, but was succeeded in command by the gallant 
Elzy, who by a well-timed attack approached the rear of 
the massed batteries. At the same time a brave charge on 
the part of Beauregard, in co-operation with this fortunate 
attack of Smith and Elzy, captured the greater part of 
the batteries and turned some of the guns upon the brave 
men who had handled them so well. 

McDowell made a gallant effort to recover his lost 
power, riding with his troops and urging them to brave 
efforts, but our convex line, that he was just now pressing 
back upon itself, was changed. Though attenuated, it 
had become concave by reinforcement, and in elliptical 



BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. 57 

passed as we marched through the enemy's camps towards 
Centreville seemed ample to carry the Confederate army 
on to Washington. Had the fight been continued to that 
point, the troops, in their high hopes, would have marched 
in terrible effectiveness against the demoralized Federals. 
Gaining confidence and vigor in their march, they could 
well have reached the Capitol with the ranks of McDow- 
ell's men. The brigade at Blackburn's Ford (five regi- 
ments), those at ]\IcLean's and Mitchell's Fords, all quite 
fresh, could have been reinforced by all the cavalry and 
most of the artillery, comparatively fresh, and later by 
the brigades of Holmes, Ewell, and Early. This favor- 
able aspect for fruitful results was all sacrificed through 
the assumed authority of staff-officers who, ujion false re- 
ports, gave countermand to the orders of their chiefs. 

On the 21st a regiment and battery were discharged 
from the Union army, reducing its aggregate to about 
34,000. The Confederates had 31,860. McDowell crossed 
Bull Run with 18,500 of his men, and engaged in battle 
18,053 Confederates. 

There seems to be no data from wdiich the precise 
figures can be had. These estimates, though not strictly 
accurate, are justified by returns so far as they have been 
officially rendered. 

The Confederate Army in this battle was organized 
as follows : 

Army of the Potomac (afterwards First Corps), under Brig,- 
Gen. G. T. Beuuregard : — Infantry: First Brigade, under Brig.-Gen. 
M. S. Bonhara, 11th N. C, 2d, 3d, 7th, and 8th S. C. ; Second Brigade, 
Brig.-Gen. R. S. Ewell, 5th and 6th Ala., 6th La. ; Third Brigade, 
Brig.-Gen. D. R. Jones, 17th and 18th Miss., 5th S. C. ; Fourth Brigade, 
Brig.-Gen. James Longstreet, 5tli N. C. ; 1st, 11th, and 17th Va. ; Fifth 
Brigade, Col. P. St. George Cocke, 1st La. Battn., 8th Va. (seven com- 
l>anies), 18th, 19th, 28th, and 49th Va. (latter, three companies) ; Sixth 
Brigade, Col. J. A. Early, 1.3th Miss., 4th S. C, 7th and 24th Va. ; 
Troo2:>s not brigaded: 7th and 8th La., Hampton Legion, S. C, 30th 
Va. (cav.), Harrison's Battn. (cav.) ; Independent companies: 10th 
Cav., Washington (La.) Cav.; Artillery: Kemper's, Latham's, Lou- 
doun, and Shield's batteries, Camp Pickens companies. 



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CHAPTER IV. 

THE CONFEDERATES HOVERING AROUND WASHINGTON. 

An Early Wur-Time Amenity— The Author invited to dine with the 
Enemy — "Stove-pipe Batteries" — J. E. B. Stuart, the Famous Cav- 
ah-ynian — His Bold Dash ou the Federals at Lewensvllle — Major- 
General G. W. Smith associated with Johnston and Beauregard in a 
Council — Longstreet promoted Major-General— Fierce Struggle at 
Ball's Bluff— Drainesville a Success for the Union Arms— McClellan 
given the Sobriquet of " The Young Napoleon." 

After General McDowell reached Washington my 
brigade was thrown forward, first to Centreville, then to 
Fairfax Court-House, and later still to Falls Church and 
Miinson's and Mason's Hills ; the cavalry, under Colonel 
J. E. B. Stuart, constituting part of the command. 

We were provokingly near Washington, with orders 
not to attempt to advance even to Alexandria. Well- 
chosen and fortified positions, with soldiers to man them, 
soon guarded all approaches to the capital. We had fre- 
quent little brushes with parties pushed out to reconnoitre. 
Nevertheless, we were neither so busy nor so hostile as to 
prevent the reception of a cordial invitation to a dinner- 
party on the other side, to be given to me at the head- 
quarters of General Richardson. He was disappointed 
when I refused to accept this amenity, and advised him to 
be more careful lest the politicians should have him ar- 
rested for giving aid and comfort to the enemy. He was 
my singularly devoted friend and admirer before the war, 
and had not ceased to be conscious of old-time ties. 

The service at Falls Church, Munson's and Mason's 
Hills was first by my brigade of infantry, a battery, and 
Stuart's cavalry. During that service the infantry and 
batteries were relieved every few days, but the cavalry 
was kept at the front with me. As the authorities allowed 

59 



66 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

Peninsula and Norfolk, made an inspection of his new 
lines, and on his return recommended that they should be 
abandoned. Meanwhile, his army had been ordered to 
Richmond. He was invited to meet the President to 
discuss military affairs, and asked General G. AV. Smith 
and myself to go with him. The Secretary of War and 
General R,. E. Lee were with the President when we met. 

It was the first time that I had been called to such august 
presence, to deliberate on matters so momentous, so had 
nothing to say till called on. The views intended to be 
offered were prefaced by saying that I knew General 
McClellan ; that he was a military engineer, and would 
move his army by careful measurement and preparation ; 
that he would not be ready to advance before the 1st of 
May. The President interrupted, and spoke of McClel- 
lan's high attainments and capacity in a style indicating 
that he did not care to hear any one talk who did not 
have the same appreciation of our great adversary. 
McClellan had been a special favorite with Mr. Davis 
when he was Secretary of War in the Pierce administra- 
tion, and he seemed to take such reflections upon his 
favorites as somewhat personal. From the hasty inter- 
ruption I concluded that my opinion had only been asked 
through polite recognition of my presence, not that it was 
wanted, and said no more. My intention was to suggest 
that we leave Magruder to look after McClellan, and 
march, as proposed to Jackson a few days before, through 
the Valley of Virginia, cross the Potomac, threaten Wash- 
ington, and call McClellan to his own capital. 

At the time of McClellan's landing on the peninsula, 
the Confederate army on that line was commanded by 
Major-General J. Bankhead Magruder, and consisted of 
eleven thousand men of all arms. The defensive line 
was pitched behind the Warwick River, a sluggish stream 
that rises about a mile south of Yorktown, and flows 
south to its confluence with James River. The Warwick 



CHAPTER IX. 

ROBERT E. LEE IN COMMAND. 

The Great General's Assignment not at first assuring to the Army — 
Able as an Engineer but limited as to Field Service — He makes the 
Acquaintance of his Lieutenants — Calls a Council— Gains Confidence 
by saying Nothing — "A Little Humor now and then" — Lee Plans a 
Simultaneous Attack on McClellan's Front and Rear— J. E. B. Stuart's 
Daring Reconnoissance around tlie Union Army. 

The assignment of General Lee to command the army 
of Northern Virginia was far from reconciling the troops 
to the loss of our beloved chief, Joseph E. Johnston, with 
whom the army had been closely connected since its earli- 
est active life. All hearts had learned to lean upon him 
with confidence, and to love him dearly. General Lee's 
experience in active field work was limited to his West 
Virginia campaign against General Rosecrans, which was 
not successful. His services on our coast defences were 
known as able, and those who knew him in Mexico as 
one of the principal engineers of General Scott's column, 
marching for the capture of the capital of that great re- 
public, knew that as military engineer he was especially 
distinguished ; but officers of the line are not apt to look 
to the staff in choosing leaders of soldiers, either in tac- 
tics or strategy. There were, therefore, some misgivings, 
as to the power and skill for field service, in the new 
commander. The change was accepted, however, as a 
happy relief from the existing halting policy of the new 
temporary commander. 

During the first week of his authority he called his 
general officers to meet him on the Nine Miles road for a 
general talk. This novelty was not reassuring, as experience 
had told that secrecy in war was an essential element of suc- 
cess ; that public discussion and secrecy were incompatible. 

112 



ROBERT E. LEE IjS^ COMMAND. 113 

As he disclosed nothing, those of serious thought became 
hopeful, and followed his wise example. The brigadiers 
talked freely, but only of the parts of the line occupied 
by their brigades ; and the meeting finally took a playful 
turn. General Toombs's brigade was before some formi- 
dable works under construction by General Franklin. 
He suggested an elevation a few hundred yards in his rear, 
as a better defensive line and more comfortable position 
for his men ; a very good military jDoint. This seemed 
strange in General Toombs, however, as he was known to 
have frequent talks with his troops, comiDlaining of West 
Point men holding the army from battle, digging and 
throwing up lines of sand instead of showing lines of 
battle, where all could have fair fight. 

Referring to his suggestion to retire and construct a 
new line, General D. H. Hill, who behind the austere 
presence of a major-general had a fund of dry humor, 
said, — 

''I think it may be better to advance General Toombs's brigade, 
till he can bring Franklin's working parties under the fire of his 
short-range arms, so that the working parties may be broken up." 

General Whiting, who was apprehensive of bayous and 
parallels, complained of sickness in his command, and 
asked a change of position from the unfair Fair Oaks. 
Though of brilliant, highly cultivated mind, the dark side 
of the picture was always more imposing with him. Sev- 
eral of the major-generals failed to join us till the confer- 
ence was about to disperse. All rode back to their camps 
little wiser than when they went, except that they found 
General Lee's object was to learn of the temper of those 
of his officers whom he did not know, and of the condi- 
tion and tone among their troops. He ordered his engi- 
neers over the line occupied by the army, to rearrange 
its defensive construction, and to put working j^arties on 
all points needing reinforcing. Whiting's division was 






CHAPTER XYL 

" THE LOST order" SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

How the Federals found tlie Despatch— With every Advantage MeClel- 
lan " made haste slowly" — Lee turns back to meet him at South Moun- 
tain— Longstreet preferred that the Stand should be made at Sharps- 
burg— The Battle at the Pass— Many killed— General Garland of the 
Confederate and General Reno of the Union side— A future President 
among the wounded — Estimate of Forces engaged. 

The strano-e losing and stranofer findiiio- of Lee's " Gen- 
era! Order No. 191," commonly referred to as "the lost 
despatch," which he had issued Sej^tember 9 for the move- 
ment of his army, made a difference in our Maryland 
campaign for better, or for worse. 

Before this tell-tale slip of paper found its way to Mc- 
Clellaii's head-quarters he was well advised by his cavalry, 
and by despatches wired him from east and west, of the 
movements of Lee's army, and later, of that eventful 13th 
day of September, he received more valuable information, 
even to a complete revelation of his adversary's plans and 
purpose such as no commander, in the history of war, has 
had at a time so momentous. So well satisfied was he 
that he was master of the military zodiac, that he de- 
spatched the Washington authorities of Lee's " gross mis- 
take" and exposure to severe penalties. There was not a 
point upon which he wanted further information nor a 
})lea for a moment of delay. His army was moving 
ra])idly ; all that he wished for was that the plans of the 
enemy would not be changed. The only change that oc- 
curred in the plans was the delay of their execution, 
which worked to his greater advantage. By following the 
operations of the armies through the complications of the 
campaign we may form better judgment of the work of 
the commanders in finding ways through its intricacies : 

212 



216 FROM MANASSAS TO 'APPOMATTOX. 

ing Washington or Baltimore, bnt that I have the mass of their 
trooi^s to contend with, and they outnumber me when united. 

' ' Geo. B. McClellan, 

' ' Major- General. ' ' * 



With the knowledge afforded by securing Lee's " lost 
order" the passes of the South Mountain became im- 
portant points. If he could force them McClellan 
might fall on the divided columns of the Confederates 
and reach Harper's Ferry in time to save its garrison ; 
but Lee received intelligence of his only moderate forward 
movement, and without knowing then how it came to be 
made recalled a force to make resistance, and so supple- 
menting or complementing by his rapid moves the Federal 
commander's slowness, saved his campaign from the disas- 
trous failure that threatened it. 

General McClellan claimed to have been more vigorous 
in pursuit after he received the " lost despatch," but 
events do not support the claim. He had time after the 
despatch was handed him to march his army to the foot 
of South Mountain before night, but gave no orders, 
except his letter to General Franklin calling for vigor- 
ous action, which w^as afterwards tempered by caution 
to Avait for developments at Turner's Pass. He gave no 
intimation of the despatch to his cavalry leader, who 
should have been the first to be advised of the points in 
his possession. General Pleasonton had pushed the Con- 
federate cavalry back into the mountains long before night 
of the loth under his instructions of the 12th. Had he 
been informed of the points known by his chief in the 
afternoon, he would have occupied South Mountain at 
Turner's Pass before any of the Confederate infantry was 
there or apprised of his approach. General McClellan's 
orders for the 14th were dated, — 

* Rebellion Records, vol. xix. part ii. p 281. 




MAJOR-GENERAL LAFAYETTE McLAWS. 



246 



FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 



march. Kershaw's leading regiment filed into line as 
Sedgwick's colnmn approached the south side of the 
Dunker chapel wood, — the latter on a diagonal march, — 
while Kershaw's regiment was in fair front against it. 



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Pit'lative positions of TdcLaws and other Confederates and Sedgwiclv at their 

opening. 

The regiment opened prompt fire, and the other regiments 
came into line in double time, opening fire by company as 
they came to the front. The other brigades came into 
line by companies, and forward into line by regiments. 
Armistead's brigade had been drawn from R. H. Ander- 
son's column to reinforce McLaws. 

Sedgwick's diagonal march exposed his left to a 
scattering fire from Walker's left brigade under M. 
Ransom, but he kept his steady march while Walker in- 
creased his fire. McLaAvs increasing his fire staggered 
the march of Sedgwick, and presently arrested it. The 
regiments under Colonels Stafford and Grigsby, coming 
from their lurking-places, opened fire on Sedgwick's right 
rear. At McLaws's opening Sedgwick essayed to form 
line of battle ; the increasing fire on his right and left 



BATTLE OF SHARPSBURC?, OR ANTIETAM. 263 

leave of absence shortly after this occurrence, and, gradu- 
ally but hopelessly sinking, in a few months passed over 
to the silent majority to join his flillen kinsman. 

A few shots were exchanged early on the 18tli, but a 
kindly feeling seemed to take possession of the trooj^s, as 
they were not ordered into action, and excuses were passed 
between the lines for looking after wounded comrades, 
which resulted in a quad truce for the day. 

The Burnside battle may be likened to that contem- 
plated for Fitz-John Porter under his 4.30 order at the 
Second Manassas. The latter, however, had the smaller 
force, while Burnside's numbers were greater. 

In the afternoon General Lee was advised of new ar- 
rivals in General McClellan's army, and, thinking the few 
stragglers who came up to swell his own ranks were not 
sufficient to justify him in renewing the battle on the 
19tli, ordered his trains back, and after night marched 
his troops across the Potomac at the ford near Shepherds- 
town. 

General Stuart was ordered to cross ahead of the gen- 
eral move, recross the Potomac at Williamsport, and stand 
auard to the rear of the columns in case of dano-er to their 
crossing. The road being clear at nine o'clock, the army 
marched ; the First Corj)s, in advance, crossed about two 
A.M. on the lOtli, awaited to guard the crossing, and at 
daylight was deployed on the south side. A. P. Hill's 
division covered the retreat of the army, and the cavalry 
under Fitzhugh Lee was to follow, relieving lines of 
l)icket guards and helping the feeble footmen. The rear 
of the Confederate column crossed into Virginia at ten 
A.M., unmolested. As the pursuit was not threatening, 
General Lee ordered his army to continue the march to 
proper points of bivouac, holding the artillery reserve 
under General Pendleton and an infantry detail of the 
brigades of Armistead and Lawton, commanded by Col- 
onels Hodges and Lamar, as guard at the ford. General 



REVIEW OF THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 287 

up, lie reoccupied it. It was left severely alone in the 
Gettysburg campaign, — an admission by both sides of its 
uselessness as 'd point cVappui. 

A word in closing about the chiefs opposed in this great 
campaign. General Lee and General McClellan were 
both graduates of the United States Military Academy at 
West Point. The former took the second honor of the 
class of 1829, the latter the second honor of the class of 
1846. Their service in the United States army was as 
military engineers. In 1854 they were both selected by 
Secretary of War Jefferson Davis for promotion to the 
new cavalry regiments as lieutenant-colonel and captain 
respectively. Their early opportunities, social and educa- 
tional, were superior. They studiously improved them in 
youth, and applied them with diligence in after-life. Aspi- 
rations leading to the higher walks of social and profes- 
sional life seem to have been alike controlling forces in 
the character and careers of each. They were not un- 
mindful that physical development was important in sup- 
port of mental improvement. In moral tone and habits 
they may be called exemplars. In his service. General 
Lee's pride was duty to his government and to the army 
under his command. He loved admiration of the outside 
world, but these duties better. General McClellan's am- 
bition was not so limited. 

In stature General Lee stood five feet ten inches, was 
of well-developed muscular figure, as trim as a youth, and 
weighed one hundred and seventy pounds. In features he 
was a model of manly beauty. His teeth were of ivory 
whiteness ; his mouth handsome and expressive of frank- 
ness, kindness, and generosity. His nose and chin were 
full, regular, strong, and gave his face force and character. 
'Twas seldom that he allowed his mind to wander to the 
days of his childhood, and talk of his father and his early 
associates, but when he did, he was far more charming 
than he thought. As a commander he was much of the 



PREPARIXG FOR THe' SPRING OF '63. 325 

could be turned and captured with little loss, but as we 
had given it up the year before as untenable, and were 
liable to be called upon at any moment to give it up 
again, it appeared that the " cost of the whistle" would be 
too high. 

The only occurrence of serious moment while we had 
our forces about Suffolk was the loss of Captain Stribling's 
battery, which had been inadvertently posted by the officer 
in charge of the artillery on a neck running out into a 
bend of the Nansemond River. The Federal gun-boats, 
seeing the opportunity, came into the river and took posi- 
tions commanding the ground in rear of the battery so as 
to sweep the field against all succoring j^arties, while a 
direct attack was made uj^on the battery, resulting in its 
capture. 

About this time the soldiers on both sides had consider- 
able amusement over a Federal signal station that was 
inside our lines as we had laid them. The Union troops 
had some time previously trimmed up a tall pine-tree 
and built near the tojD a platform for use as a signal sta- 
tion, and, coming upon this, to gratify his curiosity a Con- 
federate soldier climbed to the staging and seated himself 
for a leisurely view of the Federal forces inside their 
works. An artillerist of the other side, after allowing 
sufficient time to satisfy a reasonable curiosity, trained one 
of his rifle guns uj^on the platform, and sent a shell 
screaming and bursting too near for the comfort of the 
" man up a tree." As he did not care to be seen in pre- 
cipitate retreat he thought to wait a little, but a second 
shot admonished him that hurry, if less graceful, might 
be more wise than deliberate retreat. Acting under press- 
ure of the situation, his legs, to the amusement of the men 
on both sides, soon brought him to safe cover. When night 
closed in over the belligerents this soldier went to work on 
a scheme by which he hoped to get even with the Yankees. 
He carefully constructed and equipj^ed a full-sized man, 




I^ede. 

Con/edt rales 



326 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

dressed in a new suit of improved " butternut" '^ dry-goods, 
and, in due form christening liim " Julius Csesar," took 
him to tlie phitform, adjusted him to graceful j^osition, and 
made him secure to the framework by strong cords. A 
little after sunrise " Julius Csesar" was discovered by some 
of the Federal battery officers, who prepared for the 
target, — so inviting to skilful practice. The new soldier 
sat under the hot fire with irritating indifterence until the 
Confederates, not able to restrain their hilarity, exposed 
the joke by calling for " three cheers for Julius C?esar." 
The other side quickly recognized the situation, and good- 
naturedly added to ours their cheers for the old hero. 

About the 28tli day of April the Army of the Potomac, 
under General Hooker, took up its march for the fords of 
the upper Rappahannock to cross against General Lee at 
Fredericksburg. At the same time General Grant crossed 
the MississijDpi below Vicksburg, marched against General 
Pemberton's army in Mississippi, and was driving it back 
upon its fortifications about Vicksburg. 

When General Hooker's movements were so developed 
as to make sure of his purj^ose, repeated calls came to 
me over the wires to pull away from Suffolk and return 
to General Lee with all speed. These came from General 
Lee, and also from the Richmond authorities. In reply I 
despatched that our trains were at the front along the 
coast collecting supplies ; that they would be hurried 
to our rear, and as soon as safe we would march. The 
calls became so frequent and urgent, however, that I in- 
quired if we should abandon our trains. To this no 
answer came ; and I was left to the exercise of my own 
judgment. 

As soon as the trains were safely back, we drew off, 
marched back to the Blackwater, and thence en route for 



* The Confederate dry-goods factories, for want of other dye-stuffs, 
had lonsr before this resorted to the use of the butternut coloring. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

GETTYSBURG — FIRST DAY. 

Information of Federal Force and Positions brought by the Scout Har- 
rison—General Lee declines to credit it — General Longstreet suggests 
a Change of Direction in Conformance with the Revelation — General 
Meade had succeeded Hooker in Command Five Days before Battle- 
Positions on the eve of the First Day— Confederate Cavalry "not in 
sight" — " The Eyes of the Army" sadly needed— A Description of the 
Famous Battle-field— Generals Ewell and A. P. Hill engage the Fed- 
erals—Death of General John F. Reynolds— The Plight on Seminary 
Ridge — General Hancock in Federal Command on the Field — Con- 
cerning tlie Absent Cavalry and Information given by the Scout — 
Conditions at the Close of the First Day's Fight 

The eve of the great battle was crowded with events. 
Movements for the concentration of the two vast armies 
went on in mighty force, but with a silence in strong con- 
trast to the swift-coming commotion of their shock in 
conflict. It was the pent quiet of the gathering storm 
whose bursting was to shake the continent and suddenly 
command the startled attention of the world. 

After due preparation for our march of the 29th, all 
hands turned in early for a good night's rest. My mind 
had hardly turned away from the cares and labors of the 
day, when I was aroused by some one beating on the pole 
of my tent. It proved to be Assistant Inspector-General 
Fairfax. A young man had been arrested by our out- 
lying pickets under suspicious circumstances. He was 
looking for General Longstreet's head-quarters, but his 
comfortable apparel and well-to-do, though travel-stained, 
appearance caused doubt in the minds of the guards of 
his being a genuine Confederate who could be trusted 
about head-quarters. So he was sent up under a file of 
men to be identified. He proved to be Harrison, the 
valued scout. He had walked through the lines of the 

34G 




HARRISON. 

The Confederate scout who brought to Geiifral Lee the first neics of Meade't 
concentration ahout G'tti/shurg. 



GETTYSBURG — FIRST DAY. 347 

Union army during the night of the 27th and the 28th, 
secured a mount at dark of the latter day to get in as soon 
as possible, and brought information of the location of 
two corps of Federals at night of the 27th, and aj)proxi- 
mate positions of others. General Hooker had crossed 
the Potomac on the 2oth and 26tli of June. On the 27th 
he had posted two army corps at Frederick, and the scout 
reported another near them, and two others near South 
Mountain, as he escaped their lines a little after dark of 
the 28th. He was sent under care of Colonel Fairfax to 
make report of his information at general head-quarters. 
General Lee declined, however, to see him, though he 
asked Colonel Fairfax as to the information that he 
brought, and on hearing it, expressed want of faith in re- 
ports of scouts, in which Fairfax generally agreed, but 
suggested that in this case the information was so near 
General Longstreet's ideas of the probable movements of 
the enemy that he gave credit to it. I also sent up a note 
suggesting a change of direction of the head of our column 
east. This I thought to be the first and necessary step 
towards bringing the two armies to such concentration 
east as would enable us to find a way to draw the enemy 
into battle, in keeping with the general plan of campaign, 
and at the same time draw him off from the travel of our 
trains. 

There were seven corps of the Army of the Potomac 
afield. We were informed on the 28th of the approxi- 
mate positions of five of them, — three near Frederick and 
two near the base of South Mountain. The others, of 
which we had no definite information, we now know were 
the Sixth (Sedgwick's), south of Frederick and east of the 
Monocacy, and the Twelfth, towards Harper's Ferry. 

On the 26th, General Hooker thought to use the Twelfth 
Corps and the garrison of Harper's Ferry to strike the 
line of our communication, but General Halleck forbade 
the use of the troops of that post, when General Hooker 



348 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

asked to be relieved of the responsibility of command, 
and was succeeded by General Meade on the night of the 
27th. 

If General Hooker had been granted the authority for 
which he applied, he would have struck our trains, ex- 
posed from Chambersburg to the Potomac without a cav- 
alryman to ride and report the trouble. General Stuart 
was riding around Hooker's army, General Robertson was 
in Virginia, General Imboden at Hancock, and Jenkins's 
cavalry was at our front with General Ewell. 

By the report of the scout we found that the march of 
Ewell's east wing had failed of execution and of the effect 
designed, and that heavy columns of the enemy were hover- 
ing along the east base of the mountain. To remove this 
pressure towards our rear. General Lee concluded to make 
a more serious demonstration and force the enemy to look 
eastward. With this view he changed direction of the pro- 
posed march north, by counter-orders on the night of the 
28th, calling concentration east of the mountains at Cash- 
town, and his troops began their march under the last 
orders on the 29th. 

It seems that General Hill misconstrued the orders of 
the day, or was confused by the change of orders, and was 
under the impression that he was to march by York and 
cross the Susquehanna towards Philadelphia or Harris- 
burg. He ordered his leading division under Heth to 
Cashtown, however, and followed with Pender's division 
on the 30th, leaving orders for the division of K. H. An- 
derson to follow on the 1st. The purpose of General Lee's 
march east was only preliminary, — a concentration about 
Cashtown. 

General Ewell was ready to march for Harrisburg on 
the 29th, when orders reached him of the intended concen- 
tration at Cashtown. He was at Carlisle with Rodes's and 
E. Johnson's divisions and the reserve artillery ; his other 
division under Early was at York. On the 30th, Rodes 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

GETTYSBUKG SECOND DAY. 

The Confederate Commander reviews the Field and decides on Plan of 
Battle— Positions on the Morning of July 2— Night March of the Fed- 
eral Sixth Corps— It was excelled by Law's Brigade of Confederates 
— The Battle Avas opened after Mid-day — General Hood appeals for 
Permission to turn the Federal Left — Failure to make the Flanking 
Movement by the Confederate Right was a Serious Mistake — Hood, in 
his usual Gallant Style, led his Troops forward among the Rocks— Des- 
perate Charges against an Earnest Adversary — Hood wounded — 
General Law succeeds him in command of the Division — " Little 
Round Top" an Important Point— "The Citadel of the Field"— It 
was a Fight of Seventeen Thousand Confederates against twice their 
Number— Quiet along the Lines of other Confederate Commands — " A 
Man on the Left who didn't care to make the Battle win"— Evidence 
against the Alleged Order for " Battle at Sunrise"— The " Order" to 
Ewell was Discretionary— Lee had lost his Balance. 

The stars were shining brightly on the morning of the 
2d when I reported at General Lee's head-quarters and 
asked for orders. After a time Generals McLaws and 
Hood, with their staffs, rode up, and at sunrise their com- 
mands filed off the road to the right and rested. The 
Washington Artillery was with them, and about nine 
o'clock, after an all-night march, Alexander's batteries 
were up as far as Willoughby's Run, where he j^arked 
and fed, and rode to head-quarters to report. 

As indicated by these movements, General Lee was not 
ready with his plans. He had not heard from his cavalry, 
nor of the movements of the enemy further than the 
information from a despatch captured during the night, 
that the Fifth Corps was in camp about five miles from 
Gettysburg, and the Twelfth Corps was reported near 
Gulp's Hill. As soon as it was light enough to see, how- 
ever, the enemy was found in position on his formidable 
heights awaiting us. 

362 



GETTYSBUKG — SECOND DAY. 363 

The result of efforts during the night and early morn- 
ing to secure Gulp's Hill had not been reported, and Gen- 
eral Lee sent Golonel Venable of his staff to confer with 
the connnander of the Second Gorps as to opportunity to 
make the battle by his left. He was still in doubt w^hether 
it would be better to move to his far-off right. About nine 
o'clock he rode to his left to be assured of the position 
there, and of the general temper of affairs in that quar- 
ter. After viewing the freld, he held conference with the 
cor^DS and division commanders. They preferred to ac- 
cept his judgment and orders, except General Early, who 
claimed to have learned of the topographical features of 
the country during his march towards York, and recom- 
mended the right of the line as the j^oint at which strong 
battle should be made. About ten o'clock General Lee 
returned to his head-quarters, but his engineer who had 
been sent to reconnoitre on his right had not come back. 
To be at hand for orders, I remained with the troops at 
his head-quarters. The infantry had arms stacked ; the 
artillery was at rest. 

The enemy occupied the commanding heights of the 
city cemetery, from which point, in irregular grade, the 
ridge slopes southward tw^o miles and a half to a bold 
outcropping height of three hundred feet called Little 
Kound Top, and farther south half a mile ends in the 
greater elevation called Round Top. The former is 
covered from base to top by formidable boulders. From 
the cemetery to Little Round Top was the long main front 
of General Meade's position. At the cemetery his line 
turned to the northeast and east and southeast in an ellip- 
tical curve, with his right on Gulp's Hill. 

At an early hour of the 2d the Union army was posted : 
the Twelfth Corps at Gulp's Hill, extending its left to 
Wadsworth's division of the First ; on Wadsworth's left 
the Eleventh Gorps ; on the left of the Eleventh the other 
troops of the First ; on their left the Second, and left of 



364 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

that to Little Round Top the Third Corps; the Fifth 
Corps stood ill reserve across the bend from the right of 
the Twelfth to the left of the Second Corps. Thus there 
was formed a field of tremendous powder ui^on a convex 
curve, which gave the benefit of rapid concentration at 
any point or points. The natural defences had been im- 
proved during the night and early morning. Tlie Sixth 
Corps was marching from INIanchester, twenty-two miles 
from Gettysburg. Its first order, received near Manches- 
ter before night of the 1st, w^as to march for Taneytown, 
but after passing the Baltimore pike the orders were 
changed, directing a prompt march to Gettysburg. The 
march has been variously estimated from thirty to thirty- 
five miles, but the distance from Manchester via Taney- 
town to Gettysburg is only twenty-nine miles, and as the 
ground for which the corps marched was three miles east 
of Gettysburg, the march would have been only twenty- 
six miles via Taneytown ; as the corps marched back and 
took the Baltimore pike, some distance must have been 
saved. It was on the field at three o'clock of the afternoon, 
— the Union cavalry under General Pleasonton in reach. 

The Confederate left was covering the north and east 
curve of the enemy's line, Johnson's division near Gulp's 
Hill, Early's and Bodes's extending the line to the right 
through Gettysburg ; Pender's division on the right of 
Bodes's ; the other divisions of the Third Corps resting 
on Seminary Bidge, with McLaws's division and Hood's 
three brigades near general head-quarters; Pickett's 
brigades and Law's of Hood's division at Chambersburg 
and New Guilford, twenty-two and twenty-four miles 
away. Law^ had received orders to join his division, and 
was on the march. The cavalry was not yet heard from. 
The line so extended and twisted about the rough ground 
that concentration at any point was not possible. 

It was some little time after General Lee's return from 
his ride to the left before he received the reports of the 



GETTYSBURG — SECOND DAY. 383 

suggestion from him, but upon liis announcement that he 
intended to light tlie next day, if the enemy was there.* 

* Upon the various matters of this momentous day, which have been 
subject of controversy, the following testimony from J. S. D. Culleu is 
interesting and important : 

" Richmond, Va., May 18, 1875. 
"General, James Loxgstreet : 

"Dear General, — ... It was an astounding announcement to the 
survivors of the First Army Corps that the disaster and failure at Get- 
tysburg was alone and solely due to its commander, and that had he 
obeyed the orders of the commander-in-chief Meade's army would 
have been beaten before its entire force had asseiubled, and its final 
discomfiture thereby made certain. It is a little strange that these 
charges were not made while General Lee was alive to substantiate or 
disprove them, and that seven years or more were permitted to pass by 
in silence regarding them. You are fortunate in being able to call upon 
the adjutant-general and the two confidential officers of General Lee's 
staff for their testimony in the case, and I do not think that you will 
have any reason to fear their evidence. They knew every order that 
was issued for that battle, when and where attacks were to be made, 
who were slow in attacking, and who did not make attacks that were 
expected to be made. I hope, for the sake of history and for your brave 
military record, tliat a quietus will at once be put on this subject. I 
distinctly rememl)er the appearance in our head-quarters camp of the 
scout who brouglit from Frederick the first account that General Lee 
had of the definite whereabouts of the enemy ; of the excitement at 
General Lee's head-quarters among couriers, quartermasters, commis- 
saries, etc., all betokening some early movement of the commands de- 
pendent upon the news brought by the scout. That afternoon General 
Lee was walking with some of us in the road in front of his head-quar- 
ters, and said, ' To-morrow, gentlemen, we will not move to Harrisburg 
as we expected, but will go over to Gettysburg and see what General 
Meade is after.' Orders had then been issued to the cori)s to move at 
sunrise on the morning of the next day, and promptly at that time the 
corps was put on the road. The troops moved slowly a short distance 
when they were stopped by Ewell's wagon-trains and Johnson's division 
turning into the road in front of them, making their way from some 
point north to Cashtown or Gettysburg. How many hours we were de- 
tained I am unable to say, but it must have been many, for I remember 
eating a lunch or dinner before moving again. Being anxious to see 
you, I rode rapidly by the troops (who, as soon as they could get into 
the road, pushed hurriedly by us also), and overtook you about dark at 
the hill this side of Gettysburg, about half a mile from the town. You 
had been at the front with General Lee, and were returning to your 
camp, a mile or two back. I spoke very exultingly of the victory we 
were thought to have obtained that day, but was surprised to find that 
you did not take the same cheerful view of it that I did, and presently 
you remarked that it would have been better had we not fought than to 



GETTYSBURG THIRD DAY. 391 

indicated fair opportunity. Then I rode to a woodland 
hard by, to lie doAvn and study for some new thought 
that might aid the assaulting column. In a few minutes 
report came from Alexander that he would only be able to 
judo'e of the effect of his fire by the return of that of the 
enemy, as his infantry was not exposed to view, and the 
smoke of the batteries would soon cover the field. He 
asked, if there was an alternative, that it be carefully 
considered before the batteries opened, as there was not 
enough artillery ammunition for this and another trial if 
this should not prove favorable. 

He was informed that there was no alternative ; that I 
could find no way out of it ; that General Lee had con- 
sidered and would listen to nothing else ; that orders had 
gone for the guns to give signal for the batteries ; that he 
should call the troops at the first opportunity or lull in 
the enemy's fire. 

The signal-guns broke the silence, the blaze of the second 
gun mingling in the smoke of the first, and salvoes rolled 
to the left and repeated themselves, the enemy's fine metal 
spreading its fire to the converging lines, ploughing the 
trembling ground, plunging through the line of batteries, 
and clouding the heavy air. The two or three hundred 
guns seemed proud of their undivided honors and organ- 
ized confusion. The Confederates had the benefit of 
converging fire into the enemy's massed position, but the 
superior metal of the enemy neutralized the advantage of 
j^osition. The brave and steady work progressed. 

Before this the Confederates of the left were driven 
from their captured trenches, and hope of their effective 
co-operation with the battle of the right was lost, but no 
notice of it was sent to the right of the battle. They made 
some further demonstrations, but they were of little effect. 
Merritt's brigade of cavalry was in rear of my right, 
threatening on the Emmitsburg road. Farnsworth's bri- 
gade took position between Merritt's and close on my right 



392 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

rear. Infantry regiments and batteries were broken oflf 
from my front line and posted to gnard on that flank and 
rear. 

Not informed of the faihire of the Confederates on the 
left and the loss of their vantage-ground, we looked with 
confidence for them to follow the orders of battle. 

General Pickett rode to confer with Alexander, then to 
the ground upon which I was resting, where he was soon 
handed a slip of i^aper. After reading it he handed it to 
me. It read : 

"If you are coming at all, come at once, or 1 cannot give you 
proper support, but the enemy's fire has not slackened at all. At 
least eighteen guns are still firing from the cemetery itself. 

"Alexander," 

Pickett said, " General, shall I advance?" 
The effort to speak the order failed, and I could only 
indicate it by an affirmative bow. He accepted the duty 
with seeming confidence of success, leaped on his horse, 
and rode gayly to his command. I mounted and spurred 
for Alexander's post. He reported that the batteries he 
had reserved for the charge with the infantry had been 
sj^irited away by General Lee's chief of artillery ; that the 
ammunition of the batteries of position was so reduced 
that he could not use them in proper supj)ort of the in- 
fantry. He was ordered to stop the march at once and 
fill up his ammunition-chests. But, alas ! there was no 
more ammunition to be had. 

The order was imperative. The Confederate commander 
had fixed his heart upon the work. Just then a num- 
ber of the enemy's batteries hitched u^) and hauled off, 
which gave a glimpse of unexpected hoj)e. Encour- 
aging messages were sent for the columns to hurry on, 
— and they were then on elastic springing step. The 
oflicers saluted as they passed, their stern smiles express- 
ing confidence. General Pickett, a graceful horseman, sat 



GETTYSBURG THIRD DAY. 393 

lightly in the saddle, his brown locks flowing quite over 
his shoulders. Pettigrew's division spread their steps and 
quickly rectified the alignment, and the grand march 
moved bravely on. As soon as the leading columns 
opened the way, the supports sprang to their assignments. 
General Trimble mounted, adjusting his seat and reins 
with an air and grace as if setting out on a pleasant after- 
noon ride. When aligned to their places solid march was 
made down the slope and past our batteries of position. 

Confederate batteries put their fire over the heads of the 
men as they moved down the slope, and continued to draw 
the fire of the enemy until the smoke lifted and drifted to 
the rear, when every gun was turned upon the infantry 
columns. The batteries that had been drawn off were re- 
placed by others that were fresh. Soldiers and officers 
began to flill, some to rise no more, others to find their 
way to the hospital tents. Single files were cut here and 
there, then the gaps increased, and an occasional shot tore 
wider openings, but, closing the gaps as quickly as made, 
the march moved on. The divisions of McLaws and 
Hood were ordered to move to closer lines for the enemy 
on their front, to spring to the charge as soon as the breach 
at the centre could be made. The enemy's right over- 
reached my left and gave serious trouble. Brockenbrough's 
brigade went down and Davis's in impetuous charge. The 
general order required further assistance from the Third 
Corps if needed, but no support appeared. General Lee 
and the corps commander were there, but failed to order 
help. 

Colonel Latrobe was sent to General Trimble to have 
his men fill the line of the broken brigades, and bravely 
they repaired the damage. The enemy moved out against 
the supporting brigade in Pickett's rear. Colonel Sorrel 
was sent to have that move guarded, and Pickett was 
drawn back to that contention. McLaws was ordered to 
press his left forward, but the direct fire of infantry and 



THE WAVE ROLLS BACK. 429 

arrangements, had some reinforcements since his battle, 
and was well organized. 

On the forenoon of the loth, General Lee sent for me, 
and announced that the river was fordable and the bridge 
repaired, that the trains would be started at once, and the 
troops would follow when night could conceal the move. 
The First and Third Corps were to cross by the bridge, 
the Second by the ford. As the lines were comfortable, 
the roads heavy, it occurred to me that the hurried move 
during a single night would be troublesome ; suggestion 
was offered that the trains and wounded should move over 
during the night, and give us easy march the next night, 
but the waters on the other side were high, and only 
enough mills running to supply food from day to day, and 
the weather treacherous, so the general thought it better to 
hurry on. The march by the Williamsport crossing over 
the firm, broad turnpike was made without trouble. The 
route to the bridge was over a new road ; at the ends of 
the bridge were green willow poles to prevent the wheels 
cutting through the mud, but the soil underneath was wet 
and soggy under the long season of rain, and before night 
rain again began to fall. 

General Lee, worn by the strain of the past two weeks, 
asked me to remain at the bridge and look to the work 
of the night. And such a night is seldom experienced 
even in the rough life of the soldier. The rain fell in 
showers, sometimes in blinding sheets, during the eutire 
night; the wagons cut deep in the mud during the early 
hours, and began to " stall" going down the hill, and one 
or two of the batteries were " stalled" before they reached 
the bridge. The best standing jDoints were ankle-deep in 
mud, and the roads half-way to the knee, puddling and 
getting worse. We could only keep three or four torches 
alight, and those were dimmed at times when heavy rains 
came. Then, to crown our troubles, a load of the wounded 
came down, missed the end of the bridge, and plunged 

27 



430 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

the wagon into the raging torrent. Right at the end of 
the bridge the water was three feet deep, and the current 
swift and surging. It did not seem possible that a man 
could be saved, but every one who could get through the 
mud and water rushed to their relief, and Providence was 
there to bring tears of joy to the sufferers. The wagon 
was righted and on the bridge and rolled off to Virginia's 
banks. The ground under the poles became so puddled 
before daylight that they would bend under the wheels 
and feet of the animals until they could bend no farther, 
and then would occasionally slip to one side far enough to 
spring up and catch a horse's foot and throw him broad- 
side in the puddled mud. Under the trials and vexa- 
tions every one was exhausted of patience, the general and 
staff were ready for a family quarrel as the only relief for 
their pent-up trouble, when daylight came, and with it 
General Lee to relieve and give us opportunity for a little 
rejDOse. 

The division of the Third Corps under General Petti- 
grew formed the rear of the infantry line, which was to 
be covered by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry. But the cavalry 
brigadier rode oif and crossed the river, leaving, it is said, 
a squadron for the duty, and the squadron followed the 
example of the brigadier. The consequence was that 
when Kilpatrick's cavalry rode up it was taken to be the 
Confederates ordered for their rear-guard. Instead of 
friends, however, General Pettigrew found a foe. He was 
surprised by a dashing cavalry charge, was wounded, and 
died after a few days. Some artillery, three standards (of 
the Virginia infentry), and a large number of prisoners 
were taken. General Meade claimed two thousand. 

General Lee thought to occupy the gaps of the Blue 
Bidge by his cavalry, and rest his army in the Valley of 
Virginia, in threatening lines against Washington City, but 
found the Shenandoah Biver full and past fording, and 
before the tide began to recede General Meade crossed the 



LONGSTREET MOVES TO GEORGIA. 437 

of the roads were not iiiiiforin, nor did the roads connect 
at the cities (except by drays and other such conveyances). 
The roads had not been heavily worked before the war, 
so that their rolling stock was light and limited. 

Instead of two days of moving, it was not until the 25th 
that our artillery joined us near Chattanooga. Hood's 
division was first ship^Dcd, and three brigades, or the 
greater part of three, were landed at the railroad station, 
and joined General Bragg's army on the 18tli and 19th 
of September, but that army had been manoeuvred and 
flanked out of Chattanooga, Buckner's out of East Ten- 
nessee, and both were together down below the borders of 
Georgia, 

As I left General Lee's tent, after bidding him good- 
by, he walked out with me to my horse. As my foot was 
in the stirrup he said again, " Now, general, you must 
beat those people out in the AYest." Withdrawing my 
foot to respectful position I promised, " If I live ; but I 
would not give a single man of my command for a fruit- 
less victory." He promised again that it should be so ; 
said that arrangements had been made that any success 
that we had would be followed ; that orders to that effect 
had been given ; that transportation was also ordered to 
be prepared, and the orders would be repeated. 

While the troops were in transit, Jenkins's South Caro- 
lina brigade was transferred to Hood's division, so that we 
had two South Carolina and four Georgia brigades of the 
two divisions, which gave us some little trouble in keeping 
our men on the cars passing by their homes. The people 
crowded every station to give us their all in most accept- 
able rations, and to cheer us with wishes for a happy issue. 

The train upon which I rode reached Catoosa about two 
o'clock of the afternoon of the 19tli of September. That 
uj^on which our horses were came up at four o'clock. Only 
part of the staff of the corps was with me, and General 
Alexander was with his batteries far away in South Caro- 







Vh^: 



5C 



438 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

liiia. As soon as our horses could be saddled we started, 
Lieutenant-Colonels Sorrel and Manning and myself, to 
find the head-quarters of the commanding general. We 
were told to follow the main road, and did so, though there 
w^ere many men coming into that road from our right 
bearing the wounded of the day's battle ; the firing was 
still heard off to the right, and wagons were going and 
coming, indicating our nearness to the field. Nothing 
else occurring to suggest a change of the directions given 
us, w^e followed the main road. 

It was a bright moonlight night, and the w^oodlands on 
the sides of the broad highway were quite open, so that 
we could see and be seen. After a time we were chal- 
lenged by an outlying guard, ''Who come's there?" 
We answered, " Friends." The answer was not alto- 
gether satisfying to the guard, and after a very short 
parley we asked what troops they were, when the answer 
gave the number of the brigade and of the division. As 
Southern brigades were called for their commanders more 
than by their numbers, we concluded that these friends 
were the enemy. There were, too, some suspicious ob- 
structions across the road in front of us, and altogether 
the situation did not look inviting. The moon was so 
bright that it did not seem prudent to turn and ride back 
under the fire that w^e knew would be opened on us, so I 
said, loudly, so that the guard could hear, " Let us ride 
down a little way to find a better crossing." Riding a 
few rods brought us under cover and protection of large 
trees, sufficiently shading our retreat to enable us to ride 
quietly to the rear and take the road over which we had 
seen so many men and vehicles passing while on our first 
ride. 

We reached General Bragg's head-quarters at eleven 
o'clock, reported, and received orders, which he had pre- 
viously given other commanders, for attack early in the 
morning. Our bivouac was made near the general head- 



450 FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX. 

withdrawal of trains left exposed bv the retreat of troops 
of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corj^s. General Hind- 
man gathered his forces and marched for the left of John- 
son's division, and Preston's brigade under General Trigg 
was returned to the point of its first holding. 

Our front, cleared of opposing forces, was soon changed 
forward, and formed at right angle to its first line to seek 
the enemy's line standing against our right wing. Calls 
were repeated for the cavalry to ride in pursuit of the re- 
treating forces, and guard the gaps of the ridge behind 
the enemv standino- in front of our rioht wins;. In the 
new position of the left wing its extreme left encountered 
the enemy rallying in strong position that was heavily 
manned by field batteries. At the same time my left was 
approaching the line of fire of one of our batteries of the 
right wing. 

General Johnson thought that he had the key of the 
battle near Snodgrass Hill. It was a key, but a rough 
one. He was ordered to reorganize his own brigades and 
those of Hindman's division for renewed work ; to ad- 
vance a line of skirmishers, and give time to the troojjs 
for refreshment, wdiile I rode along the line to observe 
the enemy and find relations with our right wing. 

It was after one o'clock, and the hot and dry and dusty 
day made work fatiguing. My lunch was called up and 
ordered spread at some convenient j^oint while I rode 
with General Buckner and the staffs to view the changed 
conditions of the battle. I could see but little of the 
enemy's line, and only knew of it by the occasional ex- 
change of fire between the lines of skirmishers, until we 
approached the angle of the lines. I passed the right 
of our skirmishers and, thinking I had passed the 
enemy's, rode forward to be accurately assured, when I 
suddenly found myself under near fire of his sharp- 
shooters concealed behind the trees and under the 
brush. I saw enough, however, to mark the ground 



BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 451 

line of his field-works as they were spread along the 
front of the right wing, and found that I was very for- 
tunate in having the forest to cover the ride back until 
out of reach of their fire. In the absence of a chief 
of artillery, General Buckner was asked to establish a 
twelve-gun battery on my right to enfilade the enemy's 
works and line standing before our right wing, and then 
I rode away to enjoy my spread of Nassau bacon and 
Georgia sweet potatoes. We were not accustomed to pota- 
toes of any kind in Virginia, and thought we had a luxury, 
but it was very dry, as the river was a mile and more from 
us, and other liquids were over the border. Then, before 
we had half finished, our pleasures were interrupted by a 
fragment of shell that came tearing through the woods, 
13assed through a book in the hands of a courier who sat 
on his horse hard by reading, and struck down our chief 
of ordnance, Colonel P. T. Manning, gasj^ing, as was su23- 
posed, in the struggles of death. Friends sprang forward 
to look for the wound and to give some aid and relief. 
In his hurry to enjoy and finish his lunch he had just 
taken a large bite of sweet potato, which seemed to be suf- 
focating him. I suggested that it would be w^U to first 
relieve him of the potato and give him a chance to 
breathe. This done he revived, his breath came freer, 
and he was soon on his feet ready to be conveyed to the 
hospital. In a few days he was again on duty. 

After caring for and sending him off, and before we 
were tlirough with our lunch, General Bragg sent for me. 
He was some little distance in rear of our new position. 
The change of the order of battle was explained, and the 
necessity under which it came to be made. We had taken 
some thirty or more field-pieces and a large number of 
small-arms, and thought that we had cut off and put to 
disorder the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corps that had 
retreated through the pass of the Ridge by the Dry 
Valley road. He was informed of orders given General 



452 FROM MANASSAS TO APP03IATT0X. 

Johnson for my left, and General Buckner for a battery 
on the right. I then offered as suggestion of the way to 
finish our Avork that he abandon the plan for battle by 
our right wing, or hold it to defence, draw off a force 
from that front that had rested since the left wins took 
up the battle, join them with the left wing, move swiftly 
down the Dry Valley road, pursue the retreating forces, 
occupy the gaps of the Ridge behind the enemy standing 
before our right, and call that force to its own relief 

He was disturbed by the failure of his plan and the 
severe repulse of his right wing, and w^as little prepared 
to hear suggestions from subordinates for other moves 
or progressive work. His words, as I recall them, were : 
" There is not a man in the right wing who has any 
fight in him." From accounts of his former operations 
I was prepared for halting w^ork, but this, when the battle 
was at its tide and in partial success, was a little sur- 
prising. His humor, however, was such that his subor- 
dinate was at a loss for a reopening of the discussion. 
He did not wait, however, nor did he express approval or 
disapproval of the operations of the left wing, but rode 
for his head-quarters at Keed's Bridge. 

There was nothing for the left wing to do but work 
along as best it could. The right wing ceased its active 
battle as the left forced the enemy's right centre, and the 
account of the commanding general was such as to give 
little hope of his active use of it in supporting us. After 
his lunch. General Johnson was ordered to make ready 
his own and Hindman's brigades, to see that those of 
Hood's were in just connection with his right, and await 
the opening of our battery. Preston's division was pulled 
away from its mooring on the river bank to reinforce our 
worn battle.* The battery not opening as promptly as 
expected, General Johnson was finally ordered into strong, 

* This was my first meeting with the genial, gallant, lovable William 
Preston. 



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